2 Signs You Might Have a Restricted Expansion Valve

Your home's air conditioning system involves a variety of different components, all of which must work together in close coordination in order to meet your cooling needs. If any particular component should cease to behave normally, serious problems may ensue - both for your comfort and for the other mechanical parts of your system.

One common source of problems involves restrictions forming inside of the expansion valve. While you likely don't know much about this component, with the right knowledge you can still pinpoint potential problems it may be experiencing. This article takes a closer look at two signs of a restricted expansion valve.

1. Lack of Cold Air

When it comes to observable signs of air conditioner problems, none could be more straightforward than a lack of cold air. If you've noticed that the air coming through your registers simply isn't as cold as usual, chances are your system has developed a mechanical problem. While a number of issues may be at fault, a restricted expansion valve certainly ranks among them.

The expansion valve lies at the end of your system's liquid line - in other words, the section of tubing connecting your outdoor condensing unit to the indoor evaporator coil. The expansion valve controls the flow of refrigerant into your evaporator coil, ensuring that the pressure in the liquid line exceeds that of the coil.

As refrigerant passes through the valve into the coil, the pressure drop causes it to expand and become colder. This enables the refrigerant to absorb the maximum amount of heat from your home's air. Yet if debris, oil, or other contaminants restrict the flow into the evaporator coil, there simply won't be enough refrigerant to achieve normal cooling.

As the restriction grows progressively worse, you will likely find that the air entering your home becomes less and less cold. Be sure to mention this problem to a trained HVAC technician as soon as possible; otherwise, it may lead to compressor burnouts and other costly forms of damage.

2. Compressor Runs More Frequently

A restriction in the expansion valve doesn't just affect the evaporator coil - it also affects the compressor and the other components that lie downstream from the evaporator coil as well. Insufficient refrigerant means that the pressure inside of the evaporator coil cannot reach its normal levels. This leads to the phenomenon known as compressor starvation.

As its name suggests, compressor starvation involves a lack of refrigerant flow to the compressor. This decreased flow stems from both the reduced amount of refrigerant in the evaporator coil, as well as the reduced refrigerant pressure there. To protect itself from damage, the compressor automatically shuts down when it detects abnormally low pressure.

In the meantime, additional - yet still insufficient - amounts of refrigerant enter the evaporator coil. As this refrigerant sucks up heat and moves out into the suction line, the compressor will turn back on again - only to shut back down once the small amount of refrigerant has been processed.

Technicians can often diagnose a restricted expansion valve by taking a measurement of the pressure in the evaporator coil and/or suction lines. While nobody expects you to take such readings on your own, you may be able to diagnose the same problem by paying attention to when - and for how long - your compressor runs.

A compressor that seems to run frequently, yet in short bursts offers a strong indication that it is suffering from refrigerant starvation. If you have noticed such behavior in the outdoor portion of your air conditioning system, you should seek professional assistance as soon as possible. Otherwise the strain caused may lead to permanent compressor damage.

For more information about recognizing expansion valve restrictions and other common air conditioning problems, please contact the HVAC professionals at After Hours Heating & Cooling, LLC.

3 Signs You Need a New Thermostat

The heating and cooling system of your home is important for a few reasons. While its main job is to keep your family comfortable during the different seasons, the heating and cooling system also plays an essential role in your air quality.

The outdoor units and interior vents may seem like the most important parts of your heating and cooling system, but the thermostats are also imperative for your system's operation. This guide will help you learn the signs it is time to replace your thermostat to ensure it can operate your heating and cooling system in the most effective and efficient way possible.

1. It's Old

Even though they have an average life span of around 35 years, thermostats are not designed to last forever.

Your thermostat may work like normal now, but it will most likely start failing as it approaches or passes its average life span. Contractors can suggest and install new models that are both efficient and affordable.

2. It's Not Programmable

No matter if it is new or old and working fine, you need to replace a thermostat that is not programmable. Programmable thermostats offer a variety of benefits that not only affect your home and family's comfort but also your finances.

A programmable thermostat allows you to heat and cool your home at specific temperatures throughout specific times of the day. For example, you can set it to turn off your heat or air conditioning when you are away from the home, reducing energy usage and saving you money.

While each household is different, a programmable thermostat can help you reduce heating and cooling costs by an estimated $180 per year.

In addition to the ability of setting temperatures, many of today's programmable thermostats allow you to change settings while you are away from the home using an app on your phone. This app lets you heat or cool your home properly before you or a family member arrives.

Many of the innovative thermostats also have settings that alert you if humidity levels become too high or too low, which can affect your home and health. Also, settings on thermostats will alert you if maintenance is required. For example, the thermostat can remind you to change filters regularly, maintaining your system's function and efficiency.

3. Temperatures Don't Match

Another sign you need to replace your thermostat is if the temperature reading on your thermostat does not match the actual temperature in your home. If your home feels unusually hot or cold even while running your air conditioning or heat, check the thermostat readings and measure the air temperature using a simple thermometer.

For the most accurate readings, hang a thermometer on the wall next to your thermostat. Be sure to place a paper towel or piece of paper between the wall and the thermometer. This will reduce any discrepancies in temperature that may occur due to air transfer through the wall.

Document the temperature readings throughout a period of time. If the thermostat reading is always different from the wall thermometer's temperature, you have an issue.

The discrepancy may stem from a dirty thermostat even though that may seem surprising. Or you may need to adjust the thermostat on the wall if it was bumped or jarred. Finally, the thermostat's electrical connections may be corroded. This corrosion will affect the device’s ability to read temperatures accurately.

Clean the interior of the thermostat with electronic-dusting spray or a soft brush to remove light dirt and dust. You can use a level to adjust the thermostat on your wall in a more aligned manner, as well. If your thermostat has started corrode, replacing it is necessary.

Help is available if your thermostat prevents you from heating and cooling your home properly. For more information, contact After Hours Heating & Cooling, LLC.

2 Common Causes of Expansion Valve Restriction

One of the most important parts of your air conditioning system goes by the name of the expansion valve. The expansion valve acts to decrease the pressure of the refrigerant as it flows into the evaporator coil. This pressure change, in turn, causes the refrigerant to turn into a vapor, while also lowering its temperature.

If you would like to learn more about your expansion valve and the problems it might experience, keep reading. This article outlines two common sources of expansion valve restriction.

1. Wax Buildup Inside the Valve

Most air conditioning compressors contain oil used to keep all of their moving parts correctly lubricated. This oil comes into direct contact with the refrigerant as it passes through the compressor. The speed of the refrigerant flowing through naturally carries a small amount of oil along with it.

Virtually all mineral-based oils contain a certain amount of naturally occurring paraffin wax. Even oils marketed as being wax-free usually still contain trace amounts of wax. Under normal conditions, this wax remains in solution. In other words, the wax remains a homogenous part of the oil itself.

Yet as conditions change, the solubility of the wax may be affected. Temperature plays a huge factor here. At high enough temperatures, any amount of wax could remain suspended in oil. As temperatures decrease, the carrying capacity of the oil will also decrease. If the wax content is high enough, this can lead to a separation of oil and wax.

As noted above, the expansion valve causes the pressure — and hence the temperature — of the refrigerant to drop. If the oil used to lubricate your compressor contains an excessive amount of wax, this wax may separate and solidify inside of the expansion valve. There the wax restricts the flow of refrigerant and can even block the refrigerant entirely.

Such wax buildups indicate that the oil used in your compressor is not fully compatible with your refrigerant. Until the oil has been drained and replaced with an appropriate variety, wax deposits will continue to accrue inside of your expansion valve.

2. Moisture Contamination

Under normal circumstances, the refrigerant in your system should never come into contact with water or moisture. Yet moisture can enter a system that has fallen into disrepair. Leaks, damaged system components, and improper refrigerant handling can all allow water into your refrigerant lines.

Unfortunately, such moisture can quickly lead to serious issues for your system, especially when allowed to mix with your compressor oil. The combination of oil and water often leads to the formation of sticky sludge. As this sludge makes its way through your system, the sludge often builds up inside of the expansion valve.

These sludge deposits can quickly cause problematic restrictions to the refrigerant flow. Furthermore, such sludge tends to have a highly acidic nature. If allowed to remain in place, the sludge will soon begin to corrode any and all metal surfaces it comes into contact. This corrosion eventually compromises the structural integrity of your system.

As corrosion proceeds, it also leads to the buildup of additional contaminants in the refrigerant lines. These contaminants result in further restrictions, often preventing refrigerant from moving through the expansion valve altogether.

Fortunately, most air conditioning systems contain a crucial component known as the filter drier. The filter drier effectively sequesters any moisture that gets into the system, preventing it from causing problems. Of course, if your filter drier has reached its maximum capacity, moisture may once more be free to wreak havoc.

For more information about how to prevent unwanted expansion valve restrictions, please contact the HVAC professionals at After Hours Heating & Cooling, LLC.

How a Whole-House Dehumidifier Can Benefit You

South Carolina has a hot and humid climate that takes a toll on your air conditioner. When the humidity in your home is too high, your air conditioner has to work harder to keep you cool. An air conditioner does double duty of removing heat and humidity from the air and blowing out chilled air.

The combination of both actions keeps you cool. When humidity in your home is high, you may need a dehumidifier to dry out the air so your AC is more efficient. You may even find you can turn up the dial and stay as cool when the air is drier. Here are some signs of excess humidity in your home and how a dehumidifier can help.

Signs Your Home Has Too Much Moisture

Mold is the clearest sign you have a moisture problem in your home. Mold might grow in the most humid areas of your home like the bathrooms, but it can grow anywhere. All mold needs is the ideal temperature, moisture, and a food source such as drywall, and the mold will spread throughout your home.

Along with mold comes a musty odor. You may notice the odor and not even see mold if it is hidden from view. High humidity can cause wood to warp too. You may notice this problem in your wood furniture or your wood flooring. Your floors might also start to creak when you walk on them.

Another sign of too much humidity and moisture in your home is bugs. You may start seeing silverfish hiding inside stacks of papers or magazines. Roaches might infest your home too, and more bugs might come in to eat other bugs.

While you can probably guess that the humidity in your home is too high by the way you sweat and your home's odor, one way to tell is to have the air tested. You can even do this yourself with a simple hygrometer which measures relative humidity. Ideally, the humidity level should be around 50 percent.

If the humidity level is over 60 percent, check into having a dehumidifier installed to dry out your home. But first, you'll need to find out why the humidity is so high.

Causes of High Humidity in Your House

Your home may be too humid simply due to the extreme humidity in the air outdoors. However, if another cause is to blame, you need to fix the problem rather than rely on a dehumidifier alone. For example, if you have a roof leak or a slow plumbing leak, those problems should be fixed to prevent costly water damage to your house.

A clothes dryer can add humidity to your home too, so the dryer should be vented outdoors. Even your shower can cause humidity that makes mold grow in your bathroom. Installing a vent might help this problem. You may find the humidity in your home is worse in the summer due to the increasing humidity outdoors, and that's when a dehumidifier can help dry the air and keep you cool.

Dehumidifiers in Your Home

A whole-house dehumidifier is connected to your home's ventilation system. The air passes through the dehumidifier on one side and the appliance pulls out the moisture and drains it outdoors. Filtered, drier air comes out the other side and circulates back through your house.

The dehumidifier works on auto-pilot so all you have to do is change the filter when it's needed. You can choose a dehumidifier size based on the amount of water it is capable of removing from your home in a 24-hour period. Your HVAC technician can help you choose the right size and install the equipment so your home has drier air without making the home too dry.

Drier air helps keep you cooler, reduces odor in your home, and it may even help with your allergies by controlling dust mites. If you want drier, cooler air, call After Hours Heating & Cooling, LLC., and we'll determine if a dehumidifier is the solution for your home.

Duct Leaks: A Homeowner's Guide

Most homeowners recognize the importance of having their furnaces and air conditioners maintained by a professional. Regular maintenance will save you countless dollars by preventing more serious problems from occurring. Yet what many people fail to understand is that such maintenance extends beyond just your HVAC appliances themselves.

A duct system must also be protected against problems, lest it undermines the efficiency of both your furnace and your air conditioner. Air leaks represent one of the common — and the most damaging — duct problems. This article will take a closer look at how duct systems develop leaks, as well as the negative effect such leaks can have.

Duct Systems

The easiest way to think of a dust system is as a single, continuous network of metal ducts, usually located above the ceiling of your home. This view makes it easy to overlook the fact that a duct system consists of many different pieces, each of which has been painstakingly joined together to negotiate the structural contours of your home.

Unless your home happens to be brand new, this process of building the duct system likely took place years ago, if not decades. The contractor responsible for installing it used one of two methods — either metal duct tape or a substance known as mastic — to attach one piece of duct to the next.

Of these two types, mastic tends to exhibit better performance as the years go on. Duct tape, by contrast, displays a marked tendency to come loose as its adhesives dry out. Given enough time, putty-like mastic will also begin to grow brittle, cracking and crumbling away. In either case, this process of degradation creates places where air can escape out of — or into — your duct system.

Duct Leaks

Such duct leaks reduce the efficiency of an HVAC system. As a result, your furnace or air conditioner will have to work harder in order to accomplish the desired temperature change. This, in turn, leads to a greater amount of wear and tear on your HVAC appliances, increasing the risk of burnouts or component failures.

When identifying duct leaks, HVAC contractors will always specify which half of the system the leak has occurred on: the supply side, or the return side. The supply side involves the ducts responsible for delivering conditioned air from your furnace and air conditioner into the rooms of your home. Return side ducts, by contrast, conduct air from your home back to your HVAC appliances for further conditioning.

The supply side of the system tends to operate under what is known as a positive pressure differential. In other words, the pressure of the air flowing out of your HVAC system is greater than the pressure of the air inside your home. This positive pressure differential will act to force conditioned air out of your ducts through any cracks that may be present.

The opposite phenomenon occurs on the return side. Here a negative pressure differential exists. This will cause air from crawl spaces, attics, and other unheated parts of your home to be sucked into the duct system. Your HVAC appliances will then have to work harder to offset the negative impact such air has on the temperature of its supply air.

Return side leaks also result in dust and other forms of airborne debris getting into the duct system. Such debris will cause your air filter to become clogged up much faster. And because the filter won't be capable of capturing all of it, this debris will also result in poorer air quality inside your home. Allergies, asthma, and other breathing problems may result.

Duct and HVAC Experts

To keep your HVAC appliances running at peak efficiency, be sure to have your ducts periodically inspected for any signs of leaks. To learn more about how to eliminate duct leaks, please don't hesitate to contact our heating and cooling pros at After Hours Heating & Cooling, LLC.

Gas Furnace Not Lighting? Try Cleaning the Thermocouple

Inside your gas furnace lies a small, inexpensive electronic component called a thermocouple. This unassuming device plays a huge role in the functioning of your furnace, though, and will keep the entire system from operating if it fails to work.

If your natural gas furnace refuses to light this winter, your thermocouple may be dirty. Below is more information on this critical component and how you can clean the part yourself.

What Is a Thermocouple?

A thermocouple is nothing more than a temperature sensor, but its role in furnace operation is critical to preserving safety. When the furnace receives a signal from the thermostat to begin heating, the thermocouple will check for the presence of a pilot light before permitting the system to feed gas into the burners.

This pressure check is critical, as unburned gas could otherwise accumulate and create an explosion hazard inside the furnace and vicinity. However, a problem arises when the thermocouple malfunctions due to external soot buildup. At that point, the furnace will not light even if a pilot light is present and ready to ignite the burners.

While other problems may be the cause of a furnace that refuses to light, you should immediately suspect the thermocouple is the problem if the unit blower starts but immediately stops once the call for heat is made.

How Do You Clean a Thermocouple?

Fortunately, a thermocouple problem is usually far from serious and can be corrected easily, even by homeowners with an ability to use basic hand tools. Below is how you can clean a dirty thermocouple.

1. Disconnect Electrical Power and Natural Gas

Before you begin to perform any work on the furnace, disconnect electrical power and the natural gas supply to the unit. Any attempts to perform work without this crucial step could lead to electrical shock or even an explosion.

You can disconnect power to the furnace at the main circuit breaker panel, and the furnace should be served by a separate gas line. Locate the shut-off valve on the gas line and turn it 90-degrees until the valve handle is perpendicular to the line.

2. Locate the Gas Burners and Remove the Thermocouple

Once power and gas have been shut off, the next step is to locate the gas burners. This section of the furnace will usually be located behind a sheet metal enclosure, and you may have to remove a few screws to access it. Be careful when working with sheet metal to avoid cuts, and place the screws in a safe location for later replacement.

Once you have removed the cover to the gas burners, you will be able to view a small gas line leading to the pilot light assembly and a single electrical wire will run roughly parallel to the thermocouple. Follow the electrical wire until you locate the thermocouple, which consists of a thin, metal probe. The thermocouple is held in position with a screw and can be easily removed.

3. Clean and Replace the Thermocouple

After you remove the thermocouple from the burners, use an emery cloth to clean the tip of the probe. You can also wipe the probe with rubbing alcohol to remove oils or other greasy substances that might have accumulated.

Once the thermocouple is clean, reinsert it into position and fasten the screw holding it in place. Be sure the wire is still intact, and carefully reattach the sheet metal cover while avoiding pinching the wiring or damaging any other components.

4. Relight the Furnace

When you have cleaned and replaced the thermocouple, restore the electrical and gas supplies to the furnace. Next, consult the manufacturer's instructions for lighting the furnace, and enjoy the newfound warmth.

If you don't feel comfortable cleaning a dirty thermocouple or if your furnace still won't operate even after cleaning the thermocouple, be sure to contact After Hours Heating & Cooling, LLC for help. Our team of professionals is ready and able to assist you in restoring the warmth you've been missing.

Winter Is Coming: 3 Signs Your Heating System Needs Service

Winter is quickly approaching, so you should begin preparing your home for the cooler temperatures and potential freezing rain, sleet and snow. You may have turned the air conditioner off in preparation for the winter season, but your heating system may not be ready for the constant use that will be required for warming up your home and family.

An estimated 48 percent of your home's total energy usage stems from heating and cooling, so your heating system should be in good working condition before the winter season arrives. Without servicing the system, heating may become wasteful and costly.

Additionally, a system that does not work properly may cause you and your family to go without heat during the winter season. Thankfully, the professionals can help. Here are a few signs your heating system needs to be serviced before the winter season.

Noises and Odors

It is normal to hear a slight humming noise when your heater is running. Also, you may notice a banging when your furnace first starts heating during the beginning of the season.

However, if you are noticing frequent loud noises and foul odors, there is most likely an underlying issue that needs to be addressed soon.

A squealing or screeching sound coming from a forced-air furnace may stem from an issue in the blower motor. Loud screeching sounds or a hard banging may indicate the fan motor needs to be realigned or adjusted. Or the blower motor may have failed and needs to be replaced.

When you first start up the furnace, you may smell a dusty or musty odor. This is normal, but the odors should disappear after a few minutes of running.

If the musty odor is still present after a few hours or if you notice a burning odor, shut your system off and contact your HVAC contractor immediately to inspect the system.

Increased Heating Costs

No matter if you have a gas or electric furnace, a drastic increase in your heating costs most likely indicates an issue with your system.

Of course, comparing your heating costs can be difficult, since you are in the early stages of the heating season. For the best comparison, contact your gas or electricity company to compare current costs to previous years' heating costs.

If your system is in distress, more gas or more energy will be necessary to heat your home until it reaches the set temperature. This increase may stem from a variety of problems including duct leakage, a failing motor or even clogged filters.

Outdated System

Proper use and regular maintenance will improve the function of your system while prolonging its lifespan, but if your system is outdated, it will not run at its most effective and efficient. When it comes to the lifespan of your heating system, age is not just a number.

If you are the original owner of the home, you should have a general idea of how old the heating system is. If you have moved into an older home, a bit more research will be necessary.

Check the furnace for a plate or sticker that gives details on the manufacturer, part number, and even serial number. Contact the manufacturer with the information provided on the furnace. The manufacturer should be able to give you an estimate on what year the furnace was installed.

Today, most models are capable of heating between 20 and 30 years. If your system is 15 years or older and you are experiencing strange noises and odors and high utility bills, it is most likely time to consider a replacement.

This winter, heat your home in an effective and efficient manner. For more information on servicing or replacing your heating system, contact After Hours Heating & Cooling, LLC. today.

Save Money And Increase Comfort By Installing A Programmable Thermostat Before Winter

A thermostat isn't just a tool for adjusting the temperature in your home. It is also your key to greater comfort and considerable cost savings during the winter months. However, this is only the case when you have a programmable thermostat.

If you're still relying on a manual thermostat, you're likely spending more money to keep your home warm and wasting energy. Here are just some of the advantages this upgrade can usher into your home.

Lower Heating Bills

One of the many advantages of living in South Carolina is the fact that the winter season is quite feeble when compared to other regions. However, it is not non-existent. During January, the average low is only 33 degrees. So, the average homeowner will still spend a considerable amount of money to keep their home warm.

Installing a programmable thermostat now can save you money during the winter, and even beyond. Say you prefer to keep your home at about 70 degrees, for example.

If you were to program your thermostat to maintain a temperature setting of 60 degrees when you're not home, this small adjustment could yield a 10% energy savings with no inconvenience to you.

Greater Comfort

Programmable thermostats also keep your home more comfortable. There are a variety of systems available equipped with smart or learning technology. This feature monitors and learns your habits, including the times during the day when you're away and even when you get out of bed.

It collects this data by monitoring the changes you make to the thermostat, such as the temperature setting and time of day when adjustments are made. Eventually, you no longer have to program the thermostat, as it will automatically adjust to meet your comfort needs.

This convenience is the perfect definition of effortless comfort. Many of these systems also allow you to monitor and control the thermostat from your smartphone.

Extended Heating System Lifespan

The cost to replace a home heating system varies widely based on the size of the unit, its efficiency rating, and other features. However, the average person can expect to spend more than one-thousand dollars on this expense, not including labor and installation costs.

If you're anything like the average person, this is a significant amount of money. Programmable thermostats can help you avoid a premature replacement this winter. How they offer this advantage is quite simple – they keep the unit from working as hard.

When calculating an HVAC system's lifespan, the more wear, and effort on the part of the system, the shorter its life. Even following the previous example of lowering the temperature for a portion of the day will cut down on wear and protect the system.

Sending Your Savings into Overdrive

Having a programmable thermostat this winter puts you on the path to lower energy bills; however, to reach the finish line, there are some other measures you want to take. Here are some of them.

Reduce the temperature by 3 degrees while you're sleeping. Your home will remain warm, but you'll reduce energy consumption.

Close the blinds and curtains when the sun goes down. This adjustment reduces the amount of heat that escapes through the windows.

Adjust your ceiling fans to a clockwise direction. This change pushes the rising heat back down towards you.

Repair any cracks around doors and windows. Even a small opening can lead to significant heat loss.

With these tips, you can keep your home warm without exploding your budget.

Ready to experience these advantages in your home? A trusted technician from After Hours Heating & Cooling, LLC. is here to help. Act early to equip your home before the cold arrives.

Three Common Problems That Can Prevent Your Air Conditioner From Turning On

It is frustrating to turn on your central air conditioning system and have nothing happen, especially in the hottest part of the summer. Not only are you miserable from the heat, you may be thinking about the repair bill for getting your air conditioner up and running again.

The good news is that problems that keep your central air conditioning system from functioning are often relatively minor. Many of those problems can even be resolved by you or will require a fairly quick and easy service call.

Below are three common problems that keep your air conditioner from turning on and what can be done about them.

Fuse or Circuit Breaker Issue

If your air conditioning system isn't operating, then one of the first places you should check is your home's fuse or circuit breaker panel. Central air conditioning systems use a lot of electricity, and if the load is too high coming through the electrical panel, it may burn a fuse or trip a breaker.

If you discover the fuse has blown, then replace it with one with an amperage rating recommended by the manufacturer. Never use a fuse that is rated too high for the air conditioning system, as it may permit a dangerous overload to damage your system or even cause a fire.

For a system protected by a circuit breaker, simply flip the switch back to the 'on' position if you find it turned off. Should the circuit breaker continue to trip repeatedly, you need to get your central air conditioning system checked out by a technician to diagnose the cause.

Thermostat Problem

Another common reason why your air conditioning system may not start is due to a problem with the thermostat. Thermostats usually don't demand much attention, but they can wear out or may quit working if their batteries fail.

While older, analog thermostats are often non-powered, modern digital units contain a battery necessary for operation. If your digital thermostat show no visible display, then it is likely the battery has died. Fortunately, battery replacement is an easy process in most units. Firmly grasp the front panel and pull it away from the wall; this will reveal the battery, which can then be replaced with a fresh replacement.

For analog thermostats, your best option is to replace it with an up-to-date digital unit. New thermostats are available for well under twenty dollars, and they are often simple to replace.

To do so, carefully read and follow the manufacturer's directions enclosed with the thermostat. However, be sure to contact your local air conditioning service company if you have any questions or concerns about replacement.

Condensate Overflow Switch Failure

Another possible reason why your central air conditioning system isn't starting may be a defective condensate overflow switch. This water-sensing device is located in the condensate drain pan or inline with the drain pipe.

The condensate overflow switch serves a valuable role by detecting the backup of condensate produced by the air conditioning evaporator coil. Some evaporator coils produce around twenty gallons of water per day in humid climates, and this high volume of water can cause significant damage to a home if permitted to overflow the drainage system.

However, condensate overflow switches can fail due to blockage or other reasons, signalling a false positive reading that will shut down the air conditioning system. That is why you should take a few minutes to check the drain pan located toward the bottom of the inside unit; be sure to look for water accumulation, since there is a chance the switch is functioning correctly.

Replacement of the condensate overflow switch is a job best handled by professionals, since they will be able to test the switch for defects and can replace a bad one quickly.

If you are still experiencing trouble with your air conditioner, then be sure to contact After Hours Heating and Cooling for help. The professionals at After Hours will provide fast, friendly service and help restore your cool, refreshing air at an economical rate.

Six Signs Your Heater Needs Repair

The heater is one of the most important pieces of power-driven appliance in your home. With all the things going on in life, it’s easy to forget about your home’s heater. Most homeowners don’t think about their heaters if it turns on and keeps your house warm and toasty.

At After Hours Heating & Cooling, LLC., our HVAC experts recommend that homeowners take care of all heater repairs before winter so that you are ready for any temperature. Here are some signs that your heater needs an inspection:

1. Increased Electric Bills

An inefficient heater will require more power to function. This results in excessively high-energy bills, so if there is no explanation for why you are paying more in electricity, it could be your heater.

2. Strange Noises

Whining, banging and groaning noises sometimes come from broken heaters. Normally, these sounds are the result of the belt becoming loose.

3. You Do Not Feel Heat

You might try to crank the heater but are not feeling any warm air enter the room. The problem could be with the duct or pilot light.

4. Poor Air Quality

Heaters get cloudy over time. They require routine cleanings so that they only produce clean, warm air. If it has been a while since you cleaned yours, it could irritate people’s respiratory systems.

5. Gas and Water Leakages

There are two materials your heater can leak: gas and water. Now, a water seepage is less hazardous than a gas leak, but it still needs to be dealt with speedily if you want your home to stay warm during the cold days. You can easily pinpoint this problem just by checking for water pooling near or under your furnace. If you notice water or gas leakages in and around your heater, call the experts at After Hours Heating & Cooling, LLC. in Florence, South Carolina, immediately.

6. Over 10 Years Old

Most of the time, heaters only last for 10 years. More modern varieties can last up to 20 years. Regardless, you should look into new ones after you have had yours for over a decade.

Anything that seems off should be looked at and repaired. Call After Hours Heating & Cooling, LLC. the next time your residential heater requires service.